Downtown Chicago: Where to Stay, How to Get There

Loyola's Water Tower Campus is located on the north end of Downtown Chicago (about two blocks from the John Hancock Tower). There are many options for transportation, and many places to stay, as well.

The Loyola Water Tower Campus is located in downtown Chicago, just off of the Magnificent Mile. Because of its central location, there are many different ways to get to this campus, including by train, bus, or taxi.

Dorm rooms will be available on Loyola's Water Tower campus. The dorms are newly renovated, and offer great access not only to the conference, but to downtown.

Lodging

Hotel: The Allerton

UPDATE: The Allerton Hotel (http://www.theallertonhotel.com/) has just made us an offer for some great room rates. Single bed rooms will go for $169, with double bed rooms for $199 (taxes not included).

To book a room at the Allerton with this conference rate, contact their sales manager, Kathleen Gambino. You can either email her at kgambino@theallertonhotel.com or call her at (312) 274-6419.

The Allerton is just down the street from Loyola's Water Tower Campus, within easy walking distance of the conference.

Other Hotels

There are dozens of hotels in downtown Chicago, but
the cost of a stay will be no lower than $200 a night. You may have some luck trying
some of the online consumer-centered travel web sites. It might also be
feasible to stay in northern Chicago (or Evanston) and take the
Purple/Red El lines to downtown (about a 45 minute trip).

Dorms: Buamhart Hall

Loyola
is opening up its newly-renovated Baumhart Hall dorms for NA-CAP
conference attendees. Prices will be around $119+tax for a half-suite
(a bedroom with two beds, connected to a commons area that is shared
with another half-suite; see the floorplan).

Each apartment can accommodate up to 4 people. To reserve a room or apartment, please complete the short term housing form and fax it back to us at 773.508.8114. (You will need to pay by credit card.)

As we understand it, the dining hall inside of the dorm will be open during the day, but not for dinner. There are many places to eat in the near vicinity, too.

Other Places to Stay

There are many other hotels in easy walking distance of the Water Tower Campus. We have not yet found any that offer bulk pricing below $220 a night. However, sometimes it is possible to locate special rates.

Comments are enabled on this page. If you find particularly good rates that you would like to share, feel free to post a comment.

Maps of Loyola

NA-CAP@Loyola will be held at the Water Tower Campus, which is in downtown (not the Lake Shore Campus in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago).

A full list of all of the University maps, plus links to Yahoo Maps, and maps of public transportation are available here: http://www.luc.edu/info/maps/.

Airports

Both Chicago airports, O'Hare and Midway, provide access to downtown Chicago. For information about getting from those airports to downtown Chicago, see the official flychicago.com website.

Ground Transportation

Taxis in downtown Chicago are plentiful. Also, the trains (the famous Chicago El) provide easy access not only to downtown, but also to the airports, and the Chicago metro area.

The CTA: Trains and Buses

The El Trains provide light rail service to the Chicago area. Riding the El cost between $1.75 and $2.00 for a one-way trip. Weekend passes and short term passes are available, as well.

The closest El train stop is the Red Line's Chicago stop. The Brown and Purple lines also stop nearby, and transfers from the other main El lines are easily done in the Loop. See the Chicago Transit Authority's maps for details: http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/rail/rail.html.

There are numerous buses that move around the downtown area, and may get you closer to a destination than the El will. For information on the 40+ bus routes, see the CTA bus maps.

Rental Cars

Having a rental car in Chicago is not without drawbacks. Parking can be difficult to come by and also costly (as high as $20 for a few hours). There are, however, several parking facilities within easy walking distance of the Water Tower campus.